Market Minutes

Read snapshots of the latest market news

Broadcom tops forecast; but AI jitters pressure markets

Broadcom reported stronger-than-expected third-quarter results, yet its share price tumbled as investors expressed renewed scepticism about the valuation of AI-exposed technology firms and the near-term returns on heavy AI capital expenditure. Elsewhere, the UK’s industrial sector remained in contraction but performed better than feared, and Japan’s industrial activity moderated on a year-on-year basis amid a softening macro backdrop.

Oracle misses revenue forecasts, adding AI uncertainty

Oracle’s share price tumbled after revenues marginally missed analyst expectations, reigniting investor concerns about high AI-related spending and potential overvaluation in the technology sector. Gold rallied on lower US interest-rate expectations following the Fed’s recent decision, and Australia’s unemployment rate held steady, easing some pressure on the RBA.

Fed cuts rates, signals new neutral stance; markets climb

The Federal Reserve reduced its policy rate by 25 basis points to 3.75 per cent and revised its economic projections, signalling a move to a more neutral stance for 2026. Although the Fed upgraded near-term GDP and lowered its PCE forecast, it emphasised the continued trade-off between persistently elevated inflation and emerging labour-market weakness. Markets responded positively: equities rose, yields fell and the dollar softened.

JOLTs strength fuels market jitters before Fed meeting

The JOLTs survey showed a recovery in vacancies for September and October, rekindling debate over the Federal Reserve’s path even as market pricing for a December cut remains elevated. The Reserve Bank of Australia held rates at 3.6 per cent and signalled little appetite for further cuts, while German external trade produced mixed readings that underscore broader European stagnation.

Chinese stocks climb on strong exports, trade balance

Chinese equities advanced after a surprise improvement in the trade balance, driven by stronger-than-expected exports to Europe and Asia. Markets elsewhere were mixed: US equities slipped while 10-year Treasury yields rose as investors awaited the Federal Reserve’s policy decision. Japan’s economy, by contrast, contracted in Q3, underscoring divergent regional dynamics.

US PCE mixed; markets edge higher amid monetary easing hopes

The Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE) price index printed mixed results, with headline inflation rising modestly while core PCE eased slightly. Markets responded positively as investors continued to price a high probability of Federal Reserve easing in December, even though economic signals remain uneven. Consumer sentiment improved marginally and Canada reported a notable fall in unemployment, supporting the Canadian dollar.

US jobless claims fall, but easing outlook stays unchanged

Initial US jobless claims fell to a three-year low, signalling intermittent strength in the labour market, yet the market’s priced outlook for Federal Reserve easing remains effectively unchanged. Oil and gas markets responded to geopolitical developments and demand expectations. Investors are awaiting upcoming Fed guidance before materially altering policy expectations.

Fed rate-cut odds climb on softer-than-expected ADP data

Private payroll data from ADP surprised to the downside in November, registering a contraction that reinforced markets’ expectations of Federal Reserve easing. The ISM services PMI, by contrast, showed continued resilience in the US services sector. Outside the US, Australia’s GDP decelerated in Q3, while US crude inventories recorded a modest build.

EU inflation tick lifts euro as BoE, OECD warn of risks

The euro registered a modest gain after European Union inflation accelerated slightly more than expected. At the same time, the Bank of England and the OECD issued warnings about financial-stability risks stemming from elevated valuations in AI-linked equities and broader trade-policy uncertainty.

Supply fears lift oil; US, China PMIs decline

Brent and WTI futures rose modestly as supply concerns stemming from geopolitical incidents in Russia and Venezuela offset OPEC+’s decision to maintain its first-quarter 2026 production target. At the same time, recent purchasing-managers’ indices signalled cooling manufacturing activity in both China and the United States, adding to the sense of a fragile global demand backdrop.